Hani Morgan

Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Misrepresentation in Children's Books: A Comparative Look.

ning books from 1940 to 1971 and discovered that malesoutnumbed females in both pictures and text. It is important to start when children are very young when teaching them to develop a tolerant attitude towards people who are different than they are (Sobol, 1990). Cai and Bishop (1994) use the term ”parallel cultures” to describe the desired view of different cultures as equal. Authentic children’s books that include a variety of cultures can help future generations view people in different parts of the world, or even those in their own neighborhood, as aretransrm * t t . e d h U g h S t O f y t e ~

Maximizing Student Success with Differentiated Learning.

Abstract Students tend to comprehend little and lose focus of classroom instruction when their teachers fail to use instructional strategies that match students’ learning styles. Differentiated instruction can alleviate or eliminate this disengagement. This article describes a case involving a child having difficulty learning and shows how differentiated instruction was used to help this student learn. The author describes the theories on which differentiated instruction is based and provides practical strategies teachers can use to implement this method of teaching.

Focus on Technology: Flip Your Classroom to Increase Academic Achievement

I 2007, two science teachers— Jonathan Bergman and Aaron Sams—experimented with an innovative way to teach. Instead of lecturing in school, they made videos that allowed their students to view the lectures at home. This new method of teaching, often referred to as a “flipped classroom,” has spread rapidly in the past few years in K-12 settings because some educators believe it enhances learning in many ways. Rivero (2013) reports that most educators who experiment with this method are pleased with the results, which include improvement in test scores and student attitudes. Although research is limited on the extent to which flipped classrooms improve academic achievement, and concerns about this style of teaching have been raised, a recent survey of 453 teachers who tried this approach indicated that most of them found it to be helpful, especially for students with special needs and those in advanced placement classes; 99% of these teachers said they would use it again the following year (Goodwin & Miller, 2013). Some schools, such as Clintondale High School in Michigan, are achieving remarkable results after flipping their classroom. At Clintondale, the failure rate of 9th-grade math students plummeted from 44% to 13% (Goodwin & Miller, 2013).

Technology in the Classroom: Using Handheld Wireless Technologies in School

ecent advances in technology have led to the 1 increased popularity of online courses. While availability of online courses offer many advantages, they are often criticized for not providing much, if any, human interaction. Interacting with a teacher only through a computer or technological device limits communication modes that are crucial in the teaching and learning process. Hall and Hall (2010) explain that people communicate with more than just words; they communicate through facial expressions, tone of voice, bodily gestures, and even by how near or far they stand to each other. This type of communication can be crucial as it helps children learn appropriate ways of interacting with others. Nevertheless, the world has become technologically oriented, and so students need to learn how to use new technology if they are to be prepared to function well in the world. The purpose of this article is to discuss the educational value of handheld wireless computers, and how they can be used in schools to lead students to academic gains.

What Teachers and Schools Can Do to Control the Growing Problem of School Bullying.

Abstract School bullying, also referred to as peer victimization, has increased rapidly in recent years and can be extremely harmful if schools and teachers do not establish effective bullying-prevention programs. Recent data on the number of students who are victims of bullying indicate that between 30 and 80 percent of students in schools report being targets of peer victimization. The concern that educators have about bullying has led to many studies that have refuted common beliefs about peer victimization. This article discusses what bullying is, why bullies mistreat others, and how schools and teachers can respond effectively to the problem.

Malicious Use of Technology: What Schools, Parents, and Teachers Can Do to Prevent Cyberbullying.

In todays hyper-connected world, childrens exposure to technology as a tool to communicate, learn, and socialize has increased exponentially. As teachers and parents recognize the demands for increased use of technology among young children, they should be able to identify and address the challenges associated with such exposure. Cyberbullying, or harassment using electronic technology, is a growing problem among schoolgoing children across the world who have access to the Internet and electronic communications. Here, Hani Morgan provides a discussion on the nature and forms of cyberbullying, the major causes behind it, and measures that can be adopted by teachers and parents to help children and young adults identify and respond to cyberbullying. Resource: www.stopbullying.gov/blog/2012/09/20/protect-kids-online-onguardonline-gov

Online Instruction and Virtual Schools for Middle and High School Students: Twenty-First-Century Fads or Progressive Teaching Methods for Today's Pupils?.

Abstract Online education in K–12 settings has increased considerably in recent years, but there is little research supporting its use at this level. Online courses help students learn at their own pace, select different locations to do their work, and choose flexible times to complete assignments. However, some students learn best in a face-to-face environment. This article discusses the existing research on online education at the K–12 level and offers a few strategies to improve existing programs and to help parents select good virtual schools for their children.

Focus on Technology: Taking Advantage of Web 2.0 Technologies: Classroom Blogging Basics

In the 21st century, technological hardware and software have changed many of the methods by which teachers can deliver instruction and communicate with students. Some of these new methods are cons...

Review of Research: The Education System in Finland: A Success Story Other Countries Can Emulate

I the new millennium, Finland has gained a reputation for having one of the best education systems in the world. Many factors, including a well-educated teaching force, contribute to Finland’s success, but some aspects of the country’s educational policies and practices may be surprising to those living elsewhere. For example, although students score very highly on international tests, such as the PISA, Finland has very few external accountability measures, and teachers spend less time in classrooms than in many other countries. The ways Finland has reformed its education system have significant implications for reformers in other countries, especially those facing the same problems Finland had before its remarkable success. To achieve its status as one of the highest ranking countries in education, Finland did not create charter schools, get rid of bad teachers, increase competition, or ban teacher unions (Sahlberg, 2011a). This article explores the current research on Finland’s education system and focuses on the features that transformed the country into one of the highest-performing nations in international testing.

Relying on High-Stakes Standardized Tests to Evaluate Schools and Teachers: A Bad Idea.

ABSTRACT In the twenty-first century, the use of standardized tests as the primary means to evaluate schools and teachers in the United States has contributed to severe dilemmas, including misleading information on what students know, lower-level instruction, cheating, less collaboration, unfair treatment of teachers, and biased teaching. This article provides reasons for the increased use in high-stakes testing and detail on the problems it causes. Also included are possible solutions to alleviate the concerns associated with high-stakes testing.